Exploring the Past

De Soto history

5 years agoFROM THE DE SOTO EXPLORERSeptember 1999Austen Todd found a mastodon tooth on the Kansas River. Todd had been hunting bones on the river with his grandfather, Gary Hunt, since he was 3 years old.¢ The De Soto Watermelon Festival took place in De Soto. The Little Miss and Mister De Soto were announced at the festival. Kaytlyn Green was crowned Little Miss De Soto, and Zachary Frieling was crowned Little Mister De Soto.Winners in the parade for the horse category were: first place -- Gratny family; second place -- Joe Auten for his stagecoach; third place -- Paul Pingleton; and fourth place -- a tie of Pioneer Riders and Maggie Saylors.Bands -- De Soto High School, second place -- Lexington Trails Middle School; third place -- Monticello Trails Middle School; and fourth place -- Haskell Indian Nations University.Floats: first place -- Zimmerman Kill Creek Farm; second place -- Pioneer 4-H Club; third place -- Mill Creek Church; and fourth place -- 16 year-old Babe Ruth Baseball.

28 years agoFROM THE DE SOTO NEWSSeptember 1976Swine flu shots were scheduled.¢ Ed Blair's, "Early History of Johnson County," was reprinted. Several from De Soto purchased the reprints as well as reprints of the 1874 atlas.

36 years agoFROM THE DE SOTO NEWSSeptember 1968Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rose, Marjorie Ireland, Ricky and Douglas went to LaCygne to a Rose family reunion honoring a nephew and his family and a niece and her family who were visiting from California.¢ Pearl Morgan of San Bernadino, Calif., visited friends and relatives in Eudora, De Soto and Lawrence.¢ Mr. and Mrs. Leland Penner and Paul Lee attended the fair at Sedalia, Mo., and saw the motorcycle races.

38 years agoFROM THE DE SOTO NEWSSeptember 1966De Soto's telephone dial system went into effect.¢ Jere J. Neibarger was the new editor of the De Soto News.¢ Jake Schellack's article telling of the sale of the De Soto News stated that when he came to De Soto in 1931, the population was 380 and at present it was 1,600. In his article, he expressed thanks to Pansy Penner, who had written "This 'n That" since 1944 without missing a single issue.

45 years agoFROM THE DE SOTO NEWSSeptember 1959Kenneth Plumb was cast in the major role of Banjo in the production of "The Man Who Came to Dinner" at Players Theatre in Kansas City.¢ The kindergarten class of De Soto Grade School had 60 students enrolled. Mrs. Lloyd Coker taught until a regular teacher was secured.¢ Mrs. Archie Brashears returned home after attending the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She completed work for her degree and taught at the Hazel Grove School in Kansas City.¢ Mrs. M.V. Robbins taught at the Oak Grove School in the eastern part of Johnson County.¢ Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Loveall, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Thomsen and children, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Zimmerli and children, Mr. and Mrs. John Zimmerli and children and Fred Zimmerli attended a picnic at the Wyandotte Lake.49 years agoFROM THE DE SOTO NEWSSeptember 1955Mr. and Mrs. Jack Fisher of St. Joseph, Mo., visited with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Talley and brother Jimmie.¢ Jackie Conrad of Bonner Springs visited with his aunt Mrs. Fred Zellers and husband.¢ Mr. and Mrs. Chester Grace of Pueblo, Colo., were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Leland Toedman.¢ Visitors at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Davis were Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Kirby and children; Peggy and Donald of Piper; Leonard Davis; Lannie and Cecila Hobby; John Lacron Davis; and Charles Henson of St. Joseph, Mo.

59 years agoFROM THE DE SOTO NEWSSeptember 1945Mr. and Mrs. B.H. Bennett entertained a group of Mrs. Bennett's nieces and some of their friends, all of Kansas City.¢ Archie Brashears returned from overseas service and was visiting his father and sister.¢ Pvt. Lale Albertine was stationed in the Field Artillery Replacement Training center at Fort Bragg, N.C., for basic military training.¢ Max Bower visited his father in Cheyenne, Wyo.

76 years agoFROM THE DE SOTO NEWSSeptember 1928Mrs. Jasper Lesueur and Mrs. D. Mitchell accompanied L.L. Corliss to Kansas City, where they visited Mrs. Corliss at Trinity Lutheran Hospital.¢ June Broveak spent a few days with Hilma Nesselhuff.¢ Lucile White spent the weekend with Esther McNalley of Olathe.¢ Mrs. Sadie Gordon and Mildred Marsh of Lawrence visited with their sister and aunt, Mrs. S.M. Baker.¢ Mr. and Mrs. Walter Osborne and sons visited with their aunt and uncle Mr. and Mrs. Allan Veach in Kansas City.¢ Mr. and Mrs. Earl Ross visited with Fred Gordon and family.